Get Sorted's Paul releases e.p.!

Get Sorted's Paul Littlewood released his ‘Butterfly House’ e.p.  on the 15th May! Follow the links, have a listen then spread the word!!!

You can listen to Paul's e.p., released through Three Sixty Record, on Paul's label page and download a  free track. Paul's release has been widely released, can be purchased from itunes, Amazon, Juno, HMV Digital, Spotify and many more digital retailers, and is available from every country under then sun!!! 

Three Sixty Records started in 1995 and describe themselves as a 'small boutique label' who 'don't like genres'! Here's how Three Sixty describe the Paul's e.p.:

"Paul Littlewood has a signature arrangement style, a way of doing songs. No fancy tricks, no production wizardry, just subtly changing low-key textures and a voice. Born and raised in South Yorkshire in the North of England he has spent most of his 30 years writing and performing, developing a sound which is uniquely inspired by his changing surroundings. A huge fan of lo-fi, all of his compositions are recorded on a beloved Zoom MRS-1266, 8 track recorder, giving listeners freedom to find in them what they wish."

“This is not music that forces its meanings on the listener, but if you give it some attention, and some time, you may well find these transparently beautiful sounds become an integral part of your landscape.” Oliver Ardetti

Get yourselves over there and spread the word!!!

Graham interviews Jonathan Wilson!

Get Sorted's very own, Graham, recently helped interview Jonathan Wilson.

Graham recently contributed to an interview on Doncaster-based Sine FM Wayne Barlow's 'Across The Great Divide' show, with renowned musician and producer Jonathan Wilson.

Wilson has been on tour with Wilco this autumn for 15 shows across the UK & Europe and has recently released an album 'Gentle Spirit' which is his first official studio album.

For those not aware, Jonathan Wilson has worked with some of the finest musicians out there. Here's what his website's biography says about him:

"Whether working with promising new recording artists like the band Dawes, contemporary artists, such as Erykah Badu and Elvis Costello, or Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Jackson Browne, and Robbie Robertson, Wilson, a tall, slim, long-haired presence, provides direction and support as tasty and soulful as anyone in the business today."

The show can be heard on the Sine FM - Doncaster's Local Radio station, being the first not-for-private-profit station in the area, was launched in January 2007. Sine FM was created to provide a platform for creative expression and a distinctive, accessible community radio service, celebrating the diversity of Doncaster.

Get Sorted on BBC Sheffield

Luke Caley helped to promote this Get Sorted and Friday's Get Sorted fundraiser concert by speaking to BBC Sheffield's Steve White. 

BBC's Steve White

Get Sorted's own Glenn and Paul, and musician and student Luke Caley were on the BBC Radio Sheffield Steve White show on Saturday morning, talking about Get Sorted and promoting the fundraising event on the 11th November. 

Glenn and Paul discuss how Get Sorted started and what it does, and Luke gives a outline of how he got involved with Get Sorted and his musical ambitions.

Luke will be appearing at the Get Sorted concert this Friday, which is at the Niagara Police Social club, tickets are £5 and £50 for a table of 10!

Although you may haved missed the show, you can still hear the interview for the next 5 days. Click here to listen in. If you only want to here the interview fast forward the show to about 2hrs 40 mins - towards the end of the show.

Rotherham charity funding boost to help teens 'get sorted' with numeracy

Britannia, the Co-operative Financial Services, recently made a donation to Get Sorted to help young people develop their basic skills! Here is the article about the donations taken from the Co-op's own website!

A Rotherham charity has received a funding boost of almost £9,500 from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services, to launch a new programme to boost numeracy and literacy skills of young people in the town.

The donation, made by the financial services provider’s charitable Foundation, will enable Get Sorted Music to initially reach around 80 young people, using song writing skills, rap music, poems and counting beats to engage under 19 year-olds in its creative and innovative education programme.

Figures show that at the end of 2010, over 12 per cent of 18-year-olds were not in education, employment or training*.

Graham Sutherland, project manager at Get Sorted Music, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our application to Britannia’s charitable Foundation, we are always exploring new ways to challenge and engage our students and, we are all excited about the launch of our numeracy and literacy programme in the new academic year - it will reach across communities, breaking down barriers and engaging with hard to reach young people who, we hope, will then move on to other forms of education and accredited courses.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation is one way the member-owned financial services provider gives back to the communities it serves. Elaine Clews, manager of Britannia’s charitable Foundation, added: “Developing literacy and numeracy skills underpins everyday activities and, can lay strong foundations for good financial capability and money management in later life.

“Britannia is very much a community business itself and, through its charitable Foundation, can make real and lasting differences to local communities and it is delighted to have been able to support the initiatives of Get Sorted Music designed to raise levels of enthusiasm, confidence and understanding in this key area.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation welcomes applications from other voluntary groups, charities and schools - it supports projects to promote improvements to education, with a particular focus on numeracy and financial capability.

For further information about Britannia’s charitable Foundation, visit any Britannia branch, go to www.britannia.co.uk or, call Elaine Clews, Britannia’s charitable Foundation Manager, on 01538 391806.

Meeting Thomas Turgoose

Last week Thomas Turgoose, star of "This is England", came to Get Sorted to help promote a charity single recorded by G-Dott. Here are a few words from Get Sorted's Glenn Moss...

"I met Thomas when he came to Get Sorted to promote a charity single for local rapper Guy Lawther AKA G Dott. Guy has attended many sessions at Get Sorted where we have helped him develop his skills as a rapper and producer.

Guy had the inititative to contact the entire cast of "This is England" to see if they would help him promote his single and was rewarded for his efforts when main star Thomas Turgoose kindly agreed to help lend a hand.

We were happy to host Calender news, who came to interview Guy, and he featured on the show on Friday16th September."

Having a high profile celebrity, who realised the importance of working with young people, helping them develop and achieve their aspirations, was really good for all down at Get Sorted and all were glad to have him!

G-Dott on ITV

G-Dott, a local rap hero, appeared on ITV with "This is England" star Thomas Turgoose, while recording at Get Sorted with Jenna James.

G-Dott talks about growing up in Rotherham, his new charity single and is seen here, in this home-made video of his ITV interview, along with Jenna James recording his new single, "This is England" which is due out on the 23rd September.

Speechless to Superstar!

A Get Sorted student recently was featured in Pick Me Up magazine for his performance at Kelford School's music competition!

Chris is a 14 year old guitar student at Get Sorted who wanted to develop his guitar skills for a music competition at Kelford School, his school. He came first place, winning a trophy, and is now focusing on his singing and songwriting skills!

His story was featured in 'Pick Me Up' magazine, with a whole page dedicated to documenting his progress and determination which culminated in the performance that left his mother "watching open-mouthed" and earned him a "standing ovation from the audience".

So why not book yourself in for some lessons and join Chris in the limelight! All Get Sorted lessons are based on the students needs making them personalised and meaningful. Throughout the year you will receive progress reports and homework diaries will keep the younger ones on track and encourage them to practise at home.

Your personal tutor will work to your strengths and help you explore your hidden potential. Once you have mastered the basic techniques, just choose the styles you want to develop and your tutor will support you. Compose your own music, work towards an exam or learn for pleasure and enjoyment. Want to learn to play your favourite songs, bring them with you and you'll soon be playing or singing along with them.

Charity gets cash boost

An article taken from The Star, 23 August 2011 about Get Sorted winning a new Grant from Britannia

A Rotherham charity is celebrating after receiving a £9,500 grant to boost the numeracy and literary skills of young people in the town through music.

Get Sorted Music received the cash from Britannia – part of The Co-operative Financial Services – to use songwriting skills, rap music, poems and counting beats to help young people improve their reading, writing and counting skills.

Graham Sutherland, project manager at Get Sorted Music, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our application to Britannia’s Charitable Foundation.

“We are always exploring new ways to challenge and engage our students and we are all excited about the launch of our numeracy and literacy programme in the new academic year.

“It will reach across communities, breaking down barriers and engaging with hard-to-reach young people who, we hope, will then move on to other forms of education and accredited courses.”

Elaine Clews, manager of Britannia’s Charitable Foundation, said: “Developing literacy and numeracy skills underpins everyday activities and, can lay strong foundations for good financial capability and money management in later life.”

Visit Get Sorted Music www.getsortedmusic.co.uk to find out more about the charity.

Miss Kezzo: Interview

Miss Kezzo, a former "DJ/MC Tutor" at Get Sorted, interviewed by Arya Yuyutsu in an article taken from Miss Kezzo’s website! Also available are a series of videos of the interview!

To begin with, what got you into music: Marshall Mathers - the LP! A friend of mine had borrowed me the album. It was the first time I had ever heard of a white hip hop rapper. I was into pop bands at the time, such as, 5ive and The Spice Girls, so hip hop was something totally new to me. Being a young teenager at the time with discipline and anger issues didn't really mix very well when listening to his music. My parents didn’t agree with me listening to such explicit music and I was sent to anger management classes. Although, my first vinyl was one of David Bowies' singles and this got me into the dj’ing side of the music.

You’re a woman doing rap, how has it been being a rare unique person in the rap scene: It's not being a woman that makes me unique. There is quite a few female rap artist's on the underground scene that people aren't aware of. The thing that makes me unique is my image. People either love me or hate me. A lot of my competition is the men in the music scene. They, for some reason, see me as a threat. As the saying goes 'you should never judge a book by its cover'.

How did you start off?  I mean once you had a few songs and knew that you wanted to be a singer, what did you do: I actually have a song that answers this questions really well, you should check it out (click on the 'Bio' tab to listen to the song -), 'I Remember Those Days’ featuring Ali Heath Cook. I started recording my songs on a cassette player and to make the instrumentals, I used some PC Software called, E Jay. I got a few of my friends and my younger sister (Lady E) involved and then we started going to watch rappers at local battles and festivals. From then on, I landed a job in Rotherham at Get Sorted Academy of Music as a DJ/MC Tutor. I started going on social networking sites to promote myself and before I knew it, I’d done tons of gigs, collaborated with other unsigned artists, went in and out of crews and released a few mixtapes.

You've already found a niche for yourself, being a woman rapper.  How important is it to be different? To find a niche? To essentially, have a musical identity: It is very important to have your own identity, whether your a rap artist, student or a sales person working in the likes of Primark.  But it is important to me because of what genre of music I am doing. I'm trying to push the boundaries, open people’s eyes that there is more to a person than just image and it no longer matters what you look like in the music industry.  As long as you make good music that people can relate too.

Is there pressure to maintain it now you have chose this genre: It is totally the opposite. But, this is me and this is my everyday image. I don't do this to make a point and stand out. It’s just who I am, on stage and off! It's how I feel comfortable. Noone should be told how to look and dress. When that happens, your taking away their identity and stripping their personality.

Where do publicity and social commitments come in and how much do they effect the singer: Have you ever heard of the saying, 'sell you soul to the devil'? That pretty much sums it up. Once signed and mainstreamed you are public property. Many artists go off the rail because of this reason. I do think you have to be mentally fit because of the work load, but when there is free time, it makes you appreciate the simple things in life. The media tends to gloss the music business up but, really its one of the hardest jobs to go for that is mentally draining and without being in the right frame of mind, its a no go!

In the music scene, as it is today, do you think that singers coming through now are more 'celebrity' and unapproachable stars as compared to a couple of years ago when you could bump into some bands jamming at local pubs. How does this change the music scene: It's usually down to the agents discreition if the star is interactive or not. I think it goes on how successful the artist is as well, and the genre has something to do with it. It's all about protecting the artist nowadays', so it depends on how you look at it. I don't think it's a bad thing, after all, an artist purpose is to entertain. Does this make the artist look ignorant/arrogant? I guess in a certain way it does. But times change and society is no longer the same to what it was decades ago. The newer generation will not know no different and the older generation are dying out, Circle of life.

How do you cope with the business aspect of the whole prefession: To admit, it was a little hard to take in at first. There’s so much to learn. And I'm still learning. I take every day as it comes and I never run before I can walk. It's great to know I've got such a supportive team behind me. If I'm unsure about the slightest thing, I can just ask someone without worrying if I sound stupid. But my agent is there to deal with the business side of things so I don't really have to worry. This doesn’t mean I’ve got it plain sailing though.

Who were the big influences in your interest in music and had any present singer (I know you've opened up for a few famous singers already) given you some insight into what's ahead: Eminem was the first one, Jurassic 5, Skinnyman, Shystie, Lady Sovereign, N-Dubz, Tinnie tempah. They all played a big part in how I write songs today. I've only ever been given pointers by other unsigned artists and the majority said 'change your image', so I've learnt on my own by experimenting and learning from my mistakes.

Arya Yuyutsu

Fallen Trees @ Tramlines

Fallen Trees will be playing at the Forum at 10pm as part of the Sheffield Tramlines Festival!

All the band work at Get sorted (Glenn, Paul and Dave) and they are headlining at the Forum in Sheffield tonight at 10.00pm! Get down there and watch Get Sorted folk practice what they preach!

Chamber sorts it out with cash for young musicians

Back in 2002 - when Get Sorted was already 6 years old - the Rotherham Chamber of Commerce provided Get Sorted with some funding to 'go digital'. Here is the original story taken from The Star.

Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has helped a local music academy go digital.

The Chamber has donated 3,000, raised at its Presidential Ball, to the Get Sorted Academy of Music which helps young people who feel excluded by society.

Genya Johnson, who started the project six years ago, said: "We provide activities which raise self-esteem and provide a focus for young people who are excluded from school, are young offenders, or simply feel they have no place in society.

"The new multi-functional classroom will help students discover and develop their musicianship talents, song writing abilities and enhance IT and social skills."

Chamber president Nick Cragg said: "We raise monies for local causes which we believe make a positive difference to Rotherham and its people.

"Get Sorted is one such project and we are very impressed by the dedication of the staff and volunteers involved in it.

"We are very pleased to have been able to help."

Lloyds TSB "Our Stories" Get Sorted Feature

An article taken from the Lloyds Banking Group website. The 'Our Stories' page contains a link detailing the grant given to Get Sorted!

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales provided a grant of £30,000 to Get Sorted Music Academy in Rotherham.

Get Sorted Music Academy runs music and creative workshops to enable young people to build their self-esteem and help them reach their creative potential. Workshops are aimed at young people who are not in employment, education or further training. The Academy also provides young people with the opportunity to develop important life skills, such as budgeting, time management and interview techniques.

The Foundation’s grant helps fund core costs for the Stepping Stones project, helping young people to develop and reach their goals through creative activities.

“The funding has enabled us to do more one-on-one work with hard-to-reach young people and has allowed us to devote 16 hours a week to the programme, instead of just two.”

- Genya Johnson, Get Sorted Music Academy.

“As I couldn’t get into college I found something to do at Get Sorted Music Academy. It’s a great place to learn new skills like music technology. I am gaining more education to try and get into college next time.”

- Nathan, 16-year-old learner on the Stepping Stones project.

Get Sorted and The Children's University.

The Children's University (CU) is holding a "Children's University Graduation" at the Magna Centre on July the 8th, and Get Sorted have been invited to attend a 'provider briefing' to see how it could become a CU provider following a pilot.

Rotherham CU graduates at Sheffield City Hall

 There has already been a graduation ceremony for Rotherham CU graduates. "More than 100 Rotherham children donned their caps and gowns to graduate from a very special university. They became the first to graduate from the Children's University in Rotherham during a ceremony at Sheffield City Hall."

However, the event on the 8th of July, which is expected to attract around 800 people, will be the first "Rotherham Borough Wide Graduation" and it is hoped that it will help build Rotherham Children's University.

"The Children's University is a national organisation that provides 7 to 14 year olds with exciting and innovative learning activities and experiences outside normal school hours. We celebrate achievement and reward participation through our certificates.

Raising children's aspirations is important to us and we aim to develop the understanding that learning can be the satellite navigation to better places in life!"

Rotherham rapper makes his message clear

Former Get Sorted student G-Dott's debut album - The Unexpected - is now available in the shops! Here is an article that appeared in the Advertiser a couple of years ago in which G-Dott describes his path to Rap and his progressing career.

Rapper Guy Lawther—aka G-Dott—is sending out a powerful message to other teenagers after signing up to a music label.

The 19-year-old MC from Kimberworth Park says he found a talent for rappin' after spending time in care, a short spell in the army and, as he puts it, "in the wrong crowds on the streets."

Guy has just signed a contract with MK Productions and his career is taking off.

"I want to get a really important message out to young teenagers from the age of thirteen up to myself," says Guy, who has also played semi-professional football with Harrogate Town.

"It is that rappin' and MCing can really be for any one."

"It was a shock to me the talent I had, as I could have started at an earlier age."

"But instead I was in the wrong crowds on the streets drinking, causing trouble just to get a buzz and always feeling down after the loss of my mother at the age of nine."

"That's the age I also went into care but I have got to say that care has really sorted me out made me grow up and try things, as I have achieved semi-professional football for Harrogate Town FC and also soldier in the Coldstream Guards."

Guy spent a month in the army before deciding it was not for him.

Then Five months ago he found his real talent and his love of word play.

Now he has signed for MK Productions after being funded for studio time by the Bridges Project, an organisation which helps young people after they leave care.

He says:"It's something I love doing everyday. Even doing it freestyle, just things I see I just make them rhyme, mostly funny lyrics what make people laugh and can cheer them up when feeling down."

"After only three months into music I got a phone call off one of my friends saying would I like to perform at a club in Rotherham called the Vault because she had heard one of my tracks on some one's phone who knows me."

"At the time I was really nervous as I had only been doing rappin' for such a short time."

"I did the gig the best I could with a hell of a lot of girls shouting my name. The feeling was amazing and it just keeps getting better."

"After I finished my gig I was talking to Kezzo, the manager of MK Productions and she asked if I wanted to sign to MK and that basically topped it off."

"I couldn't have asked for more and I want to thank Kezzo and the Bridges Project for the studio time they funded.

Guy explains his style:"I started on bassline because that's what peaple wanted to hear in clubs, but the lyrics are always about fightin / girls / or drinking n drugs, so I decided to take music to the next level."

When royalty came to Get Sorted...

Get Sorted have been around for a long time and have long been attracting the attention of the high and mighty! Here's an article from the archives, from The Star in 2006, when the Andrew Duke of York got sorted!

"PRINCE Andrew arrived at a business park this morning amid tight security at the start of a whistlestop tour of South Yorkshire.

Looking tanned and wearing a dark suit, the Duke of York, who had flown into Doncaster's Robin Hood airport, was almost 30 minutes late.

He was greeted at Castings Technology International on Waverley business park, Rotherham.

The firm is one of the first to move to the park which will eventually house some of the top UK engineering companies.

The duke was shown CTI's 9 million plant which employs about 100 people and moved to the site in April.

The duke was later due to keep an old promise when he dropped into a music project set up to help jobless youngsters. Prince Andrew visited the Get Sorted project in in Westgate, Rotherham five years ago and promised to come back next time he was in the area.

He was to have lunch at Sheffield Town Hall and visit the Winter Garden and Millennium Square en route to his last stop in St Paul's Place."

Sean Bean stabbed!

Everone seems to be trending Sean Bean at the moment... it is worth mentioning that the South Yorkshire born actor visited Get Sorted for a recording session in the past. 

Glenn and Graham recorded him in the studio, doing a literacy work and he was great to work with, and though he expressed his love of classical music, he can't play an instrument! Best wishes to Mr. Bean and we hope his injuries heal quickly. This article appeared in The Star.

"SHEFFIELD actor Sean Bean was stabbed with a broken glass outside a bar when he challenged a passer-by who insulted his glamour model friend.

The Hollywood star, who grew up in Handsworth, was smoking with topless model April Summer, 22, when another punter in the pub made a remark about her.

The multi-millionaire actor, who has starred in Lord of the Rings films and is appearing in The Game of Thrones TV series, is believed to have been stabbed with a broken bottle and punched.

Bar staff treated a wound on his arm, but the actor – famed for his hard man roles – did not seek medical attention..."

...story continues here...

M-Star comes out on top

M-Star (Liam Mousley) recently won the Jay Mya/ Rotherham Advertiser competition, with 560 votes for the track he recorded at Get Sorted with Glenn Moss.

M-Star

IT was a close-run thing, but in the end rapper M-Star won the vote in our Midnight Music competition.

M-Star, real name Liam Mousley (right), won 38% of the hundreds of votes cast on our website.

That was enough to just pip show tune singer Sam Shirtliffe to first place.

Liam, aged 14, wins a recording session with Rotherham singer-songwriter Jay Mya at the Music Factory.

Jay has also promised to write a special song for our winner.

He’ll also be performing LIVE, at the pre-event party for the Rotherham Hospice Midnight Walk on June 18.

And because the voting was so close, the Hospice’s party organisers have also invited Sam (15) to perform on-stage.

Liam, of Richmond Park Avenue, Kimberworth, was delighted by the success of his track, Dream Girl.

“I can’t stop shaking. I’ll start practising tonight!” he said.

A regular at the Winterhill Young People’s Centre, Liam says he is a rapper with a anti-gang message and his inspiration is hip-hop star Chipmunk.

He became interested in music through his big brother Damien and has already performed live several times in Rotherham.

Sam (below), of Warren Mount, Kimberworth, performed the song I know Where I’ve Been, from the hit show Hairspray in the competition.

A pupil at Winterhill School where she is studying music and drama, she is a member of the Steps Productions theatre group and will be appearing in a production of Annie at Rotherham Civic Theatre in July.

Her idol is American rapper and actress Queen Latifah, who starred in the film of Hairspray and Sam says her ambition is to appear in the West End.

Also appearing at the Parkgate party, which will help set the Midnight Charity walkers on their way will be Sadie Bates, who recently recorded a cover of Boys Like

Girls’ hit Thunder after winning a talent show at Wickersley Comprehensive recently. That song was released on iTunes last week.

Topping the bill at the party will be Jay himself who said: “I am really pleased with the quality and variety of music that has been submitted by the entrants to the music competition.”

Get Sorted Bolognaise - Making Healthier Easier!

According to Makespace.org.uk musicians make good cooks... and they produced a recipe with Get Sorted for you to get started with! 

Down load this recipe from www.makespace.org.uk

Changing Lives Through Music

Get Sorted were featured on the front page of the Winter 2010 'Rotherham People Power', Rotherham's "Community Engagement Bulletin, which is available for download.

DJ Daz hits the decks!

A group of local people with learning disabilities have taken action to enhance their skills and improve their lives through an eight-month programme held at the Get Sorted Music Academy in Rotherham, in partnership with an organisation called Reach 4 the Stars.

The academy, based at Westgate, aims to ‘change lives through music’ by giving people the confidence to perform in public, whilst improving their motivation and raising their self esteem.

Almost 30 adults attend the weekly workshop sessions, which include DJ skills, VK-ing (playing videos as a backdrop for people to dance to in nightclubs), singing karaoke and even playing electric guitar in a band. All the sessions are designed to build on an individual’s skills and lead to a final performance.

Darren Warmsley, AKA MC Big Daz, said: “I really enjoy the workshops. I have got better at DJ-ing since I started coming here. We made a Christmas rap this week and I’m really looking forward to being able to DJ in a proper nightclub!”

The workshops at Get Sorted have had a major impact on their lives, as Genya Johnson, Executive Director of Get Sorted, explains: “It is easy to see the confidence that these people have as a result of their involvement with music. Their families and carers have noticed a big difference too, mainly that they are becoming more outgoing, have a wider circle of friends and it has really given them something positive in their lives that they really look forward to.”

The group have already impressed many people with their DJ skills at their first official performance at the Fairs Fayre in Magna in September. Now they are working towards the ‘Under the Stars’ nightclub event being held for people with learning disabilities at Liquid nightclub in Rotherham in March. This event is expected to attract up to 600 people.

Ruth Parrott, Managing Director of Reach 4 the Stars, an organisation that runs events for people with learning disabilities, said: “People with learning disabilities have limited opportunities to meet up with friends and the nightclub events give them a great chance to get together. The workshops are working really well and I can’t wait to see the new trainees perform on the night.”

If you would like to find out more about these music workshops for people with learning disabilities or to get involved in these nightclub events, contact Ruth Parrott on 07834 547484.

Graham's hoping for a hot hit

Graham Sutherland, GSAM's man at the helm (and future Rock Legend) was interviewed in The Advertiser about his band, The Hottest State.

ROTHERHAM guitarist and songwriter Graham Sutherland is hoping for success after he and his band The Hottest State officially launched their debut EP.

Graham, who works at Rotherham’s Get Sorted Music Academy in Westgate, launched the four-track offering with a gig at The Garage Bar in Doncaster.

The EP, which is available on digital download, features Graham on lead guitar, vocalist Paul Morris, guitarists John Crawford and Richard Myers, drummer Steven Leary and keyboard player Robin Brown.

“We are all very excited about our first recording that was produced by recording engineer Darren Ferris at the Higher Rhythm Studios on Netherhall Road in Doncaster,” said Graham.

It has already had air play on several local radio stations. We would like to reach a wider audience and our ambition now is to record an album.”

The Hottest State formed in 2008 and has built an enthusiastic following in South Yorkshire.

American rock giants like Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young have influenced the group while legendary British bands like The Who and Cream continue to be a source of inspiration to their writing and playing.

Rock music lovers can hear a sample of some of the group's most popular songs at www.myspace.com/TheHottestStateband